SR1129 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1129 LRB101 21211 LAW 71780 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Daniel R. "Dan" Sperry of Normal, who passed away on April 11, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dan Sperry was born in Batavia to Frank Earl and Elsie Jane Banks Sperry on October 16, 1928; he attended the University of Illinois; he married M. Irene Hubbs in Bloomington on February 24, 1952, and she preceded him in death on January 24, 1997; he later married O. Gerada Fonger in Bloomington on August 1, 1998, and she preceded him in death on December 23, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Dan Sperry took over his father's company, Mechanical Devices, in Bloomington after his father's death in 1956; alongside his wife Irene, he expanded the company to include production manufacturing, and the business grew from a 6,000 square-foot site to 20 acres on G.E. Road; his company continues under the leadership of family members and is now under the management of its fourth generation; and

WHEREAS, Dan Sperry was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and DeMolay International; and

WHEREAS, Dan Sperry was known as a skilled draftsman, an exceptional designer, and a talented musician; he collected the works of authors Joseph C. Lincoln and Zane Gray; he enjoyed playing a number of sports during high school, Boy Scouting with his son and grandsons, going on family vacations, camping, sailing, and canoeing; and

WHEREAS, Dan Sperry was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Emma Lee Sperry, Bertha-Mae Wilson, and George Jean Sperry; and

WHEREAS, Dan Sperry is survived by his children, Linda Sue (Gary) Fillingham, Carol Jean (Steve) Kant, Mark Daniel (Laurel) Sperry, and Judy Kay (Mark) Hovren; his grandchildren, Yale (Emily) Fillingham, Chase (Kari) Fillingham, Alexis (A.J.) Kalitzky, Austin (Doug) Herring, Tyler (Emma) Sperry, Courtney Sperry, Emily (Dan) Breazeale, and Sara Hovren; his great-grandchildren, Rose Fillingham, Willa Fillingham, Hunter Fillingham, Kallen Fillingham, Aubrey Kalitzky, Jonah Kalitzky, Emerson Kalitzky, Kate Kalitzky, Trae Herring, Nash Herring, and Connor Sperry; and his two special nephews, Forrest (Carla) Wilson and John (Judy) Wilson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Daniel R. "Dan" Sperry and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dan Sperry as an expression of our deepest sympathy.